While various media organizations have already covered his inspiring story, we’re able to get a more vivid picture of Eugene Dela Cruz's journey from being young and homeless to becoming a promising youngblood with a propitious future in the 12th and latest episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” entitled “Pinto.”
Portrayed by up-and-coming actors Argus Aspiras and Tommy Alejandrino, Eugene actually grew up with a blissful and comfortable life with his business owner-parents and brother Dennis. But their almost perfect life suddenly changed for the worse when his parents broke up after his mother (Andrea del Rosario) left them for her first family. Their father (Jeffrey Santos) brought him and his brother to the house of their paternal grandmother, Vangie (Ces Quesada), where they lived since 2005.
Since his gay friends had given him the courage to come out of the closet, Eugene finally confessed to his family on the day of his elementary graduation that he’s indeed gay. Unfortunately, his Lola Vangie, who’s a conservative Chinese, got fuming mad as she firmly believed that gays like him bring bad feng shui and bad luck, and kicked him out of her house right there and then. With his parents nowhere to be found, Eugene had no choice but to knock on the doors of his friends to seek shelter until the time came that he had to live in the bustling and dangerous streets of Manila.
Vangie then passed him on to his other grandma (Carla Martinez), who also asked him to leave after staying at her house for quite some time since she couldn’t help but get anxious that he might harm her as well. This was after Vangie told her that he almost stabbed her during one of their heated confrontations, which Eugene denied since it was himself whom he was about to hurt. His mom also declined to take him in since it was already difficult for her and her husband to provide the needs of their children.
Since his father was adamant about supporting him in his plan of pursuing his studies, Eugene once again had to be self-sufficient for him to be able to support both his needs and studies, which he did by working as a part-time tutor. However, his clients dwindled, which made it impossible for him to pay the rent and afford his basic needs. Thus, he sought the help of his Tito Roel (Smokey Manaloto) and Tita Elsa (Adriana Agcaoili), who willingly took him in despite being advised by his father to not accept him.
Eugene indeed found renewed hope while living with the couple, who made sure that all his needs were taken care of even though their incomes as a driver and as manicurist were not enough to make both ends meet. Upon learning that Roel and Elsa were already having a hard time budgeting their daily earnings, Eugene decided to leave again, for he didn’t want to be a burden to them anymore. But they stopped him and assured him that they would never give up on him.
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